Nurse practitioner making big difference at VSFC

Published: February 23, 2012 4:07AM

By AMANDA ROLIK
Staff Writer
WOOSTER -- The addition of another nurse practitioner at the Viola Startzman Free Clinic in July has helped the clinic provide better service in multiple ways.
"It has so greatly increased our capacity to see patients," said Jaime Parsons, executive director.
Not only has it increased the number of patients the clinic is able to see, but it has increased the amount of time the practitioners can spend with each patient, which allows them to look at each patient "more holistically," said Parsons.
The clinic employs one full time nurse practitioner and two part time practitioners.
Another big change was the retiring of longtime clinical supervisor George Snedecker in October.
Snedecker began volunteering at the clinic when it was started by Startzman. Over time, he became an integral part of the staff. Parsons said the clinic is still lucky enough to have Snedecker volunteering on a part time basis.
"It's been a smooth transition," Parsons said. "He's been a great point of contact, (we) can ask 'why?' about things," Parsons said, noting he has the "historical perspective" of the clinic.
"We've been able to really successfully transition some things to be more effective," said Parsons.
Focusing on its strong foundation, while also looking to the new vision of the future and "merging the two together" has been a theme of the past year for the clinic, according Parsons.
In honor of its 35th anniversary last year, Sheer Professionals of Wooster held a hair-a-thon with proceeds benefiting the VSFC.
There were a variety of other events held by organizations and businesses throughout last year that benefited the clinic, including the Wooster Urban Adventure Challenge and the Young Professionals 5k.
"They were fabulous events ... it raised a lot of awareness, it put us in contact with so many different people," Parsons said, noting some were people in need and others were people the clinic needs.
Parsons said the clinic is grateful for "the willingness of the community to step forward at a time when funding is so difficult to come by."
"It's becoming more and more vital to have that help," Parsons said.
Reporter Amanda Rolik can be reached at 330-287-1635 or arolik@the-daily-record.com.